Renovating your kitchen is a great way to make it a more functional, attractive space and increase the resale value of your home. Kitchen renovations are often large and complicated projects involving at least one contractor and multiple purchases, which may include cabinets, countertops, and appliances. You may even decide to replace the floor or add an island or backsplash. Follow these tips to make your renovation go as smoothly as possible.
Vet Your Vendors Carefully
Unless you are a competent contractor, renovating your kitchen will involve hiring vendors to handle electrical work, plumbing and potential drain repairs, painting, and more. Before committing to using someone’s services, do your research, and examine their credentials. If you have friends or neighbors who have had similar work done in their homes, you can ask them for referrals. The Better Business Bureau is another excellent resource.
Stay Within Budget
When taking on a project as complex as renovating a kitchen, it’s easy to let costs get out of hand. You must set a budget at the start of your renovation and make every possible effort to stick to it. When setting a budget, consider your neighborhood’s home values along with the state of your finances. If your home is on the smaller side or located in an undesirable neighborhood, you may not recoup an investment in luxury appliances or granite countertops when it comes time to place it on the market.
Make Sure Your Appliances Match
Is your remodeling project going to involve replacing a refrigerator, oven, microwave, or dishwasher? If so, the best course of action is to choose one finish for all of them. You don’t want to end up with a white refrigerator and stainless steel dishwasher, for example. It’s even better if you can get all of the same brands.
Maximize Storage Space
When it comes to your kitchen’s appeal, ample storage space makes all the difference. One way to gain counter space is to install storage racks underneath your cabinets. You can pull them down to access the items that you need, then swing them back up once everything is put away. You can also put extra wall space to work by installing a shelf or pegboard.
Following these tips will help you to renovate your kitchen successfully. When in doubt, look at home design magazines search online for the latest trends, or seek out advice from a friend or colleague.
